York Businesses Invited to Get Benefits of Tour de France

City of York Council is inviting local businesses to find out how they can benefit from the world’s largest sporting event coming to Yorkshire next year, the Tour de France.

Over 50 cycling related businesses, organisations and interest groups, such as cycle clubs, from around the region are expected to attend a conference next month in council’s new West Offices. The meeting will be the first opportunity for local businesses to come together and talk about how they can be involved with the lead up to Tour de France and contribute towards making this the best event Yorkshire - and the world - has ever seen.

Delegates to the event will hear more about the Tour de France from Welcome to Yorkshire and plans to ensure a thriving cultural and sport legacy to the event from Kersten England, chief executive of City of York Council. The Tour de France is expected to attract 2million spectators and 2,000 journalists from around world to line the route, bringing an estimated £100million boost for the region and an opportunity for Yorkshire share with the world its spectacular range of local produce, which is sure to provide a huge boost to the city's leisure and tourism industries.

York itself will be hosting the 101st Tour de France Grand Départ, Stage 2 in July 2014, which will see some 200 of the world’s best cyclists showcase their road riding skills on the cobbles and corners of the medieval streets with a backdrop of some of the great sights of the city. The city has a track record of staging high-quality; large-scale events which involve local people and reach international TV audiences, including the Olympic Torch’s highly-praised visit to the city last year.

Kersten England, chief executive of City of York Council, said: “As one of the top cycling cities in the country we are delighted to host Le Grand Départ next July. As a cyclist myself, it’s a privilege to be appointed as the senior legacy lead for the region and to ensure that this important legacy lives on in Yorkshire, builds on this city’s long-standing commitment to cycling and inspires generations to come. With 98 per cent of the county’s population living within an hour of the route this is the time to ensure not only spectators benefit from the world’s largest sporting event but also our regions businesses too.”

Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “This event is the perfect opportunity for cycle clubs and local businesses to find out more about how Le Tour will impact on their communities and their county. Millions of people will descend on Yorkshire to witness the Grand Départ and the planning starts now to maximise the opportunities that presents.”

Businesses interested in attending the conference can contact Graham Titchener graham.titchener@york.gov.uk . The event will take place on 12 March in the council’s West Offices between 5.30pm until 7pm.